From 1804–15, Napoléon I reigned as the emperor of France, bringing the country into a new era of opulence after the fall of the monarchy and the tumultuous years of the French Revolution. He declared, “We must have very solid things, made to last 100 years.” Empire-style furniture followed suit, with imposing pieces constructed from mahogany and adorned with gilded ornaments. Expanding on the neoclassicism popularized in the previous century — such as in Louis XVI style — Empire style borrowed from the great civilizations of antiquity, from Egypt to Greece and Rome, to connect this nascent empire to the power of the past.
Napoléon I believed the production of fine furniture would reflect the stature of the republic, with his official architects Charles Percier and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine leading the way with their work on his residences.
Luxurious materials, symmetrical shapes and bold colors characterize antique Empire-style bedroom furniture, armchairs, cabinets and other structures, with frequent motifs including mythological creatures, geometric designs, acanthus leaves, eagles, bees (the imperial emblem) and swans, a favorite of Empress Joséphine.
Flat surfaces, like marble tabletops, were accented with decadent details, such as the bronze furniture mounts made by sculptor Pierre-Philippe Thomire for the French palaces. Martin-Guillaume Biennais, who worked as the imperial goldsmith, crafted intricate luxury objects that mixed wood, fine metal, mother-of-pearl and ivory. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.
The style became popular abroad, influencing the American Empire style. Stately pieces carved with sprigs of olives by cabinetmaker Pierre-Antoine Bellange were acquired by American President James Monroe for the White House in 1817.
Find a collection of antique Empire tables, lighting, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Wonderful French Empire Gilt Doré Bronze & Cut Crystal Round Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French empire gilt doré bronze & cut crystal round centerpiece bowl raised on paw feet
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of Early 19th Century Prussian Cast Iron Vases Urns Fer De Berlin
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A beautiful pair of cast iron vases (urns) on pedestal, attributed to the Royal Prussian Iron Foundries in Gleiwitz. This pair is modeled most likely aft...
Berlin Iron, Iron
Early 19th Century French Mantel Clock - Allegory of Love, Paris circa 1815
Located in Greven, DE
Antique French Mantel Clock - Allegory of Love Paris Ormolu circa 1815 Dimensions: H x W x D: 45 x 35 x 13 cm Description: Antique French mantel clock as an allegory of love. Set...
Enamel, Ormolu
Rare Model Empire Clock Depicting Faustulus Discovering Romolus and Remus
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
The highest quality late French Empire/Charles X mantle clock in terms of bronze casting, chasing, and gilding. The partially clad figure of Fau...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Pair of green patinated and Gilt Bronze Tazzas, Empire, Circa 1810
Located in NICE, FR
A pair of elegant bronze tazzas in the French Empire style. These decorative bowls are crafted from gilt bronze and set on tall pedestals with a dark matte patina. The contrast betwe...
Bronze
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
A Late 19 Century Malachite clock Topped by a Gilt Bronze Bust of Napoleon
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A simple yet elegant relatively rare malachite cased clock topped by a gilt bronze bust of a young Napoleon in uniform after the marble original work by Jean Antoine Houdon.
Malachite, Bronze
Early 19th Century Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock, La Lecture, Paris, c. 1813
Located in Greven, DE
Pendule La Lieuse - The Reader Paris Bronze, marble, enamel Empire around 1813 Dimensions: H x W x D: 30 x 30 x 15 cm Description: The "La Lieuse" pendulum is probably the best-kn...
Enamel, Ormolu
$1,430Sale Price|35% Off
French Empire Napoleon III Bizantine Bronze Ormolu Inkwell or Inkstand
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite Bizantine French 19th century Empire Napoleon III gilded bronze inkwell. This handcrafted antique desk accessory bears the makers mar...
Bronze
A Rare Pair of French 19 Century Gilt Bronze Dolphin Candelabra
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
These are an exceptionally rare pair of stylized standing gilt bronze dolphin six arm candelabra plus a central stem raised on a rectangular gilt bronze malachite veneered bases. T...
Malachite, Bronze
Empire Period Ormolu Mounted Malachite Allegorical Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Empire period ormolu mounted malachite allegorical mantel clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 50m, width 21cm, depth 14cm This fine mantel clock is an excellent ex...
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Empire Mantel Clock in Mercury-Gilt Bronze, France, early 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Mercury-gilt bronze mantel clock, Empire style, France, early 19th century Magnificent mercury-gilt bronze mantel clock, made in France around 1810-1820, at the height of the Empire ...
Bronze
Empire Period Portico Clock, White Marble & Gilt Bronze, Circa 1810
Located in Berlin, DE
Portico clock from the Empire period, circa 1810, with an architectural design in white marble, accompanied by very simple ornamentation in mercury-gilt bronze with finely chiseled...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Pair of Tall Italian Torchères, Likely Naples, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A refined pair of Italian torchères made from mahogany, dating to the early 19th century and likely originating from Naples. The torchères rest on tripod bases with elegantly curved ...
Marble
19th Century Bronze Napoleon Figure, Empire Style Cast Sculpture
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Bronze Figure of Napoleon, 19th Century Provenance: Private Melbourne Collection. Description: In full military dress, his sword sheathed and arms folded over his chest, his ri...
Bronze
Empire Bowl w Winged Lady's and Dolphins Base Gold Finish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare find of this centerpiece bowl in a golden Dore' finish. With two winged nude Angles for handles. All supported by four Dolphins in a bronze patina finish. Still has the Origin...
Bronze
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
French Empire Style Gilt Metal Mounted White Marble Portico Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire Style Gilt Metal Mounted White Marble Portico Clock, early 20th century, surmounted by an Imperial eagle, sunburst, the suspended circular dial with battery operated mo...
Marble, Metal
Grand French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Mantel Clock in the Empire Style
Located in London, GB
Constructed in bronze, patinated and gilt; the rectangular form case supported on engraved oblate spherical feet, the frieze dressed with a row of female masks capping pillars, linke...
Bronze, Ormolu
$7,831Sale Price|25% Off
Gilt Bronze and Griotte Red marble inkwell, Empire Period, early 19th century
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant Empire-period inkwell featuring a rectangular base in griotte red marble, embellished with gilded bronzes. The main decoration, of great finesse, represents a winged figure i...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Gilt Bronze Empire Figural Basket
Located in Atlanta, GA
First quarter 19th century, in the manner of Pierre-Philippe Thomire (French, 1751–1843), gilt bronze and marble, figural basket, possibly Nike, holding aloft a flared, reticulated b...
Bronze
Wonderful French Empire Dore Bronze Cut Crystal Figural Neoclassical Centrepiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire doré bronze and cut crystal figural neoclassical centrepiece Measures: 7.5" W x 8" H.
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th c. French Empire Salmon Tole Monteiths or Cachepot Jardinieres
Located in Litchfield, CT
Pair antique early 19th century French Empire tole monteiths or cachepot jardinieres decorated with a garland of gold leaves on a salmon tan ground. Measure 12" across over handles x...
Metal
19th Century French Bronze Dore Double Inkwell with Sphinx Design
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze dore filigree double inkwell with sphinx sides and backrail.
Bronze
French Empire Style Mantel Clock, circa 1820
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and stylish early 19th Century gilded ormolu and green marble mantle clock, having two classical maidens either side feeding Rams, an Eagle above the circular white...
Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Empire Ormolu-Mounted Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
A fine quality empire ormolu-mounted patinated bronze and rouge royale marble mantel clock. The patinated bronze figures depicting cupid and psyche. Attributed to Pierre-Victor Ledure...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
$2,100Sale Price|40% Off
A Homer bust ormolu empire clock in the manner of Thomire
Located in Harrington Park, NJ
AN EMPIRE ORMOLU BUST OF HOMER After the Antique The bearded bust of Homer on a rectangular clock decorate with lyres and gryphon heads on the side
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Mantel Clock, signed Ferey au Havre, Ormolu
Located in Greven, DE
Small mantel clock with bas-relief France Bronze, enamel early 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 33 x 19 x 9 cm Description: Antique, fire-gilt portal clock with figurative, Gre...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Table Clock Empire Period France
Located in New York, NY
A mantel clock made during the Empire period 1790-1820 in France. Made from burnished gilt bronze. The Greek God Apollo is playing the lyre with his feet resting on a guilded stool.
Bronze
French Empire Patinated Bronze Sculpture of Boys and Amphoras by Auguste Moreau
Located in North Miami, FL
French Empire patinated bronze sculpture of a group of boys and amphoras by Auguste Moreau By: Auguste Moreau Material: bronze, copper, metal Technique: patinated, cast, carved, pol...
Bronze, Metal, Copper
Empire Cast Iron Pocket Watch Stand with Martial Decoration, circa 1820
Located in Knivsta, SE
Empire Cast Iron Pocket Watch Stand with Martial Decoration, circa 1820 Striking Empire-period pocket watch stand in cast iron, dating from the early 19th century, circa 1820. A po...
Iron
Pair of Antique Austro-Hungarian Silver Candlesticks with Chased Flowers
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of silver candlesticks are hallmarked by an unknown maker, and believed to have originated from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and date to approximately 1850, and done in the ...
Silver
Antique 19th-Century French Marble & Gilt-Bronze Figural Mantel Clock Neoclass
Located in Berlin, DE
Elevate your interior with this exceptional antique French figural mantel clock, beautifully crafted in the 19th century in a refined Neoclassical / Empire style. Featuring a strikin...
Marble
19th Century Russian Tazzas, Dolomite & Fire-Gilt Bronze, Empire Style
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of dolomite tazzas, Shelyabinsk region (Urals), fire-gilt bronze. Russia, Ekaterinburg, 19th century. Provenance: Ex collection Dolf Selbach (1929-2010).
Stone, Bronze
Marble Vase, France, Second Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large lidded vase with a gadrooned wall with acanthus leaves and pine node. Marbre griotte and gilt bronze.
Griotte Marble, Bronze
French Napoleon III silver jug or decanter
By Baccarat
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
French Napoleon III silver jug or decanter Napoleon III style French silver and glass jug Circa 1930 Origin France Excellent quality cut crystal, could be baccarat The silver part ha...
Crystal, Silver
Early 19th Century French Empire Walnut Tall Case Grandfather Clock
Located in Dallas, TX
Add architectural presence and old-world elegance to an entry, hallway, living room, or study with this stately antique French Empire walnut grandfather clock. Crafted in France circ...
Brass
Pair of French Empire Period Matte and Burnished Gilt Porcelain Vases
Located in Firenze, IT
Pair of French 19th century Empire porcelain two handles baluster-shaped vases. The body of each vase is in two-toned gold exceptionally tooled with matte and glazed gold. The vases ...
Porcelain
19th Century French Bronze Dore Compote with Ebonized Figures
Located in Queens, NY
French Empire-style (19th Century) bronze dore compote with 3 Egyptian ebonized figures and crystal bowl.
Crystal, Bronze
Late Empire Period Clock of Chronos Carrying Away Time
Located in London, GB
A fine model of Chronos carrying off time. The superbly modelled and cast figure of Chronos with scythe in one hand and carrying the clock under his arm. Set on a fine marble base wi...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Napoleon III Crystal Vase, Empire, France 19th Century with Video
Located in Madrid, ES
Napoleon III Crystal Vase - Empire - France 19th century with gilt bronze and diamond padding on the bases. Classic proportions and design. H-35cm. Width: 20cm, Height: 35cm, Depth: ...
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of gilded Empire candelabra with five lights, made of high-quality bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
A Fine Quality Pair of French Empire Bronze and Gilt Ormolu Candelabra, each in the form of cherub figures holding up three ornate candle branches, These magnificent candelabras we...
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Large Russian Empire Porcelain Gold-Ground and White Bisque Figural Centrepiece
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent and large Russian Empire porcelain gold ground and white bisque figural reticulated centrepiece. A large filigree basket supported by three a...
Gold
Elegant French Empire Doré Bronze Crystal Three-Light Fixture Chandelier
Located in Roslyn, NY
Very fine, beautifully detailed French doré bronze and crystal three-arm chandelier with flame top urn centre in the neoclassical style.
Crystal, Bronze
Pair of First-Empire Period 2-Handled Porcelain Vases with Westall Venus Scenes
By Richard Westall, Porcelaine de Paris
Located in New York, NY
An incredible and rare pair of French Paris Porcelain First-Empire Period Winged Sphynx-form double- handled porcelain vases with mythological scenes of Venus and Cupids after Richar...
Porcelain
Very Large French 19th Century Empire Period Ormolu Bronze Portico Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
French Empire Ormolu Bronze Portico Mantel Clock by Gaston Jolly, Paris, Circa 1810s, with original pendulum.
Bronze
Pair of French Empire style Bronze and Bronze Dore Candelabra
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine & Spectacular Pair of French Empire style Bronze & Bronze Dore 12 light Figural Candelabra, late 19th Century, each depicting a standing winged Victory with outstreached ...
Marble, Bronze
French Restauration Period Ormolu Lyre Mantel Clock with Apollo Mask
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An unusual French Restauration period ormolu mantel clock. The elaborately pierced gilt bronze case in the form of a lyre, with an Apollo mask cresting, on a white marble stepped bas...
Marble, Bronze
Louis Marie Moris French bronze Napoleon on horseback . (1818-1883)
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and large French bronze of Napoleon on horseback . Crossing the Alps on Marengo. Fine detail on a marble base . Large and impressive scale
Bronze
Pair of Large Malachite and Ormolu Mounted Empire Style Vases
Located in London, GB
These splendid malachite and ormolu mounted vases are executed in the French Empire style, and are emblazoned with gilt decoration that has an unmistakable air of confidence, pride, ...
Malachite, Ormolu
Rare Empire French Fire Gilded Center Piece Tazza Warrior Horses Harp
By Pierre-Philippe Thomire, Thomire & Cie.
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
More than 200 years old showpiece for on the table. Made from glass, fire-gilt bronze and green veined marble. Beautiful horses with a warrior and mythological figures with harp and ...
Marble, Bronze
Large French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Footed Bowl
Located in Essex, MA
French Empire bowl with snake handles and beaded edge, reeded shallow bowl, square base with censor and wreath mounts, plinth base.
Other
Paris Porcelain Floral Vase with Caryatid Handles
Located in Sarasota, FL
Paris porcelain floral vase with caryatid handles. Exceptional quality enameling of flowers. Finely executed caryattid handles. The vase is unsigned, as it is typical for Paris porce...
Porcelain
$10,899Sale Price / set|30% Off
A Pair Of French Empire Patinated Bronze And Marble Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A Large Pair of Empire Patinated Bronze and Marble Candelabra Each candelabra features a classical winged Victory figure holding stylised oil lamp candleholder with gadrooned nozzles. The winged figure wears a flowing dress with finely detailed, crisp lines and stands atop a gilt bronze orb...
Marble, Bronze
French Empire Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
French Empire Ormolu mantel clock resting on four turned feet supporting an oval base with raised garland and zig-zag rope decoration...
Ormolu
Vintage Patinated Bronze Bust of Napoleon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This pensive bronze-finished bust of Napoleon Bonaparte is a quintessential example of Neoclassical revival style, reflecting the enduring legacy of the French Empire. Depicting the ...
Marble
Pair of Empire Style Bronze and Iridescent Glazed Cassolettes, circa 1875
Located in New York, NY
The tops turn over to be candlesticks.
Bronze
Fine 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze and Patinated Bronze Mantle Clock
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century Empire gilt bronze figural mantle clock. Patinated bronze and gilt bronze fine details. Working condition.
Bronze
Pair Antique French Empire Style Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique (19th century) gilt bronze six-light candelabra in the French Empire style, each 20 1/2 inches tall and 12 inches across.
Bronze
A Pair French 1st Empire Period Ormolu & Verde Antico Marble Figural Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
A Fine and Unusual Pair of French 1st Empire Period Doré Bronze and Verde Antico Marble Figural Neoclassical Five-Arm Candelabra. Each candelabrum features a tall central shaft issui...
Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Russian Lacquer Painted Snuffbox Trinket Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
18th century Russian snuffbox or pillbox featuring an elaborate painting on the lid of a turkey and children. Very versatile piece that could also hold jewelry or small trinkets. Thi...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze from the 1820s
Located in Knivsta, SE
Pair of Empire Candlesticks in gilt and dark patinated bronze. Made in France during the 1820s. Beautiful decorated with flowers and a dark patinated column in the center of the cand...
Bronze